What everyday objects become surprisingly challenging to use in zero gravity?

Last Updated: 02.07.2025 03:27

What everyday objects become surprisingly challenging to use in zero gravity?

I’m sure there are plenty of other things.

Toilets are notoriously difficult - if I recall correctly, there is something like a three day training course for astronauts to learn to use the ISS toilet before they fly there.

Things like drinking cups really don’t work - neither do hard glass bottles. You have to force the liquid out by squeezing the container and drinking the liquid through a straw..

How exactly do things get smuggled into prison? Does the sender hide it inside something else very well? Does someone put it in their butt? Do the prisoners make deals with the officers?

For some other things - the astronauts have to use a seat-buckle - for example, typing on a regular keyboard gradually pushes you backwards until the keyboard is out of reach.